Oscar Garibaldi Roberts (1860–1922) was a wealthy Sydney jeweller. In 1876 he joined the firm of Fairfax and Roberts in Hunter Street, Sydney. Established as Australia’s earliest emporium for fine silver, optical instruments and jewellery, its workshop created items for heads of state, country gentlemen and families collecting their first heirlooms.

From 1894 Oscar and his wife Anne lived in Hornsby, Sydney, near to where Lambert’s family lived. His coachman would drive him to Hornsby station each morning, where he would catch the train to the city. Lambert made this drawing of him early one morning before he left for work.

This drawing has been passed down through the subject’s family. It was one of the last drawings Lambert made before travelling overseas.